Being their own bosses, working together outside, and supplying healthy food are positives that outweigh the difficulties of farming, say Joe Connelly and Hannah Sol. Our February 7 edition catches up with the young couple who started Everyday Farm in Gill a year ago. (Courtesy photo) ... [Continue Reading]

While the state plans selective cutting in an 80-acre stand of mixed hardwoods in Wendell, tree warden Corine Baker got people thinking bigger. Our February 7 edition logs all the news from the annual Groundhog Day potluck. (Anna Gyorgy photo) ... [Continue Reading]

A proposal to move the statue of a female mill worker from the center to the rear of Spinner Park unexpectedly encountered opposition from downtown Turners Falls residents. Our January 31 edition has all the details. (Mike Jackson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

The General Pierce Bridge, which has been in a state of serious disrepair for a number of years, has been causing headaches lately for town officials, not to mention drivers. A report in our January 31 edition has the latest on this and other spans connecting Montague to the outside world.(Denise Milkey photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Our January 31 edition has all the highlights from the sold-out premiere of the locally filmed "The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot." Tell us what you thought of the movie!(Mike Jackson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Two darlings of the area avant-garde, guitarists Wendy Eisenberg and Chris Weisman, team up at The Root Cellar Saturday night to raise funds for Looky Here, a volunteer-run art workshop space in Greenfield. Our January 31 edition has a freewheeling interview with Eisenberg.(Magdalena Abrego photo) ... [Continue Reading]

David Brule knows what he plans to do with his one wild and precious life. He watches the ravens steal cracked corn from the jays and remembers the late poet Mary Oliver in our January 24 edition. (Louis Agassiz Fuertes illustration) ... [Continue Reading]

Barry Scott of Montague City shared with us this photograph he took of the south end of the Patch, between the power canal (left) and Connecticut River (right), using a drone during January 20th’s spectacular sunset. ... [Continue Reading]

About 80 people gathered earlier this week to mourn the two homeless community members found dead in a tent behind the McDonald's on the Mohawk Trail in Greenfield. An online fundraiser to help other homeless individuals stay warm has been started here. (Karen Shapiro Miller photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Izzy Vachula-Curtis reviews "Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli, and its movie adaptation, in our January 17 edition. Spoiler alert: She recommends the book to pre-teens and young adults who like romance novels, or just funny stories. ... [Continue Reading]

Farewell, old hump! A Massachusetts Department of Transportation work crew is removing the notorious “bump” section of the Fifth Street bridge over the power canal in Turners Falls, with work scheduled to be completed by late January, weather providing. (Ed Gregory photo) ... [Continue Reading]

The Saturday dump run is the highlight of many Leverett residents' week thanks to the coffee shack run by the Friends of Leverett Pond. Find out about all of the group's efforts to preserve a "living body of water and dynamic critter habitat" in our January 17 edition. We've even got their recipe for sauerkraut cake! (Dina Stander photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Former judge and Springfield Housing Authority director William H. Abrashkin is now running the Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority on an interim basis. He discusses the effects of the government shutdown on public housing, and more, in our January 17 edition. (Mike Jackson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

We owe it to the history of this region, writes David Brule in our January 10 edition, to take one last good look at the route of colonial officer who led his men to certain death at the hands of Indigenous people protecting their homeland and communities in 1675. The troops passed through what today is the site of a proposed 63-acre solar farm in Erving. (Map from Douglas Edward Leach’s "Flintlock & Tomahawk," 1957) ... [Continue Reading]

On Tuesday the Montague planning board will hold a hearing on the final draft of a long-awaited town zoning bylaw overhaul. The board will also hear a proposal to break off three small parcels of land along Davis Street for the development of three “affordable” housing units, though town officials have indicated the proposal may be off the table. Details in our January 10 edition. (Nina Rossi photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Turners’ junior Cam Bradley surges through the pool to a new school record of 1:00.84 in the 100-yard butterfly during the Senior Night meet against Springfield’s Sci-Tech. Find swimming, wrestling and basketball news in our January 10 edition. (David Hoitt photo) ... [Continue Reading]

The red-carpet western Mass premiere later this month of "The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot" will also be the debut of a new projector and screen at the Shea Theater Arts Center. Our January 10 edition has coming attractions of how the Shea plans to use the new equipment in the future. (Nina Rossi photos) ... [Continue Reading]

Kate and John Moruzzi of Leverett took us along with them last month to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, where they visited the ancient Mayan ruins at Tulum (pictured) and Chichen Itza. Going somewhere? Send photos to editor@montaguereporter.org. ... [Continue Reading]

The challenge of this coming year, and every year after, will be a combination of preventing greater global climate disruption, and adjusting to what is already upon us, writes Anna Gyorgy. Her final dispatch from the UN climate summit in Poland is in our January 3 edition.(Gyorgy photo) ... [Continue Reading]

The First Day Hike along the canal in Turners Falls drew a record crowd of around 150 and featured a beaver sighting. More photos in our January 3 edition. (Mike Jackson and Cindi Oldham photos) ... [Continue Reading]

Runners lined up in Montague Center on New Year’s Day for the Sawmill River 10K Race. According to parks and rec director Jon Dobosz, participation in the race was down slightly from last year – although the weather was a full 50 degrees warmer! (Mike Jackson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Our first edition of 2019 takes stock of a town in transition. We check in with Montague officials for updates on the arrival of new industries, the state of the abandoned paper mills, creation of sidewalks and woodland trails, regulation of poultry, development in Millers Falls, and more.(File photos) ... [Continue Reading]

This new addition to Emily Monosson's household got her thinking about T. gondii, a parasite sometimes spread by cats that can cause risky behavior in mice and perhaps even humans. Emily's daughter Sophie Letcher, who works in neuroimmunology, drops some science in our December 20 edition. (Monosson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

When a barred owl was injured in a busy intersection in Greenfield recently, passing motorists and animal lovers snapped into action to get it out of danger and take it to a rehabilitation center. Our December 20 edition has the hoo, what, when, where, and why. (Ashlee Riddle photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Jovanni Ruggiano drives the ball past a North Adams defender during the TFHS boys basketball season opener. Pick up our December 20 edition for a look at that team's first few games, plus girls hoop and swimming news.(David Hoitt photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Participants in the homeschool science group at the Montague Public Libraries recently had a master class in tooth-brushing led by staff fromApex Dental Associates of Turners Falls, MA. (Angela Rovatti-Leonard photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Anan Zorba grew up in Palestine and worked in Paris before moving to Massachusetts, where a collection of his "Thrones" paintings is on display at the Wendell Free Library. Get to know the artist in our December 13 edition. ... [Continue Reading]

Thomasina and Rich Hall are among parents of students of color in Gill-Montague schools who say administrators are “responsible for emboldening the toxic, racist culture by not addressing it with the seriousness it requires.” Our December 13 issue lays out their concerns and the initial response from the school board and superintendent. (Mike Jackson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Our commenters sure had a lot to say about the new Turners Falls High School athletics logo, with reactions ranging from thunderous applause to black-cloud anger. Our December 6 edition has an interview with designer Amy Schmidt Bowse, who sees the image as embodying "dignity, strength, honor, and pride." (Mike Jackson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Tens of thousands of climate activists descended on Cologne, Germany, recently for a demonstration ahead of the COP24 climate conference in Poland. In our December 6 edition, international correspondent Anna Gyorgy writes that concern about climate disruption seems to be at a tipping point, finally reaching "the middle of society." (Gyorgy photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Customers of the Wendell Country Store will know Deva Skydancer (left) and owner Kathleen Leonard, who have launched a new lunch spot at the Orange Innovation Center. Order up our December 6 edition for all the details onKathleen's Cafe. (Ellen Blanchette photo) ... [Continue Reading]

After 23 years on the Montague Police Department roster, Chris Williams is now in charge. Our December 6 edition features an interview with the new police chief. (Nina Rossi photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Friday is both the 77th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the seventh anniversary the monthly 1940's Hit Parade nights at The Rendezvous. Get to know performer Drew Paton in our December 6 edition. (Sue Paton photo) ... [Continue Reading]

World heavyweight champion boxer and New York City schoolteacher Sonya Lamonakis returned to her hometown of Turners Falls recently to “cut the ribbon” on a plaque dedicated to her honor at Unity Park. Lamonakis announced a $1,000 college scholarship for Turners Falls seniors and a summer camp fund for the park. “That’s a way for me to give back to the town, which makes me really happy,” Lamonakis said. (Mike Jackson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Our November 29 edition wraps up the Turners-Greenfield Turkey Day football game and more from the week in local high school sports. Pictured here, Kyle Dodge hands off to Wyatt Keith as John Torres holds the line. (David Hoitt photo) ... [Continue Reading]

This logo by local designer Amy Schmidt Bowse, winner of a popular vote at the high school, has been approved unanimously by the school committee. Our November 29 edition also has details on the conclusion of a dispute with the company that oversaw the district’s decade-long overbilling of the state Medicaid system and the departure of a committee member. ... [Continue Reading]

Wendell’s Anna Gyorgy will be reporting from this year’s UN Climate Change Conference. For our November 15 edition, she writes to us from this Berlin internet cafe, which is adorned with a poster calling for a demonstration to end the use of coal in Germany. ... [Continue Reading]

Aquí se habla español: Our November 15 edition features the monthly Spanish page, with coverage of the third annual Migration Festival and the screening of a documentary about teacher protests in Mexico and commentary on the Central American migrant caravan.
(Victoria Maillo photos) ... [Continue Reading]

We recently crossed paths with Jeff Molongoski, who seeks out the steepest roads in Western Massachusetts to skateboard down. Find out in our November 15 edition just how safe, skilled, legal, and utterly beautiful downhill skating can be. (Answers: Not very; Very; Prooobably not very; Very.) (Mike Jackson photos) ... [Continue Reading]

We are sad to share the news that Don Clegg, our distribution manager and beloved neighbor, passed away on Friday after a short illness.
Don will be sorely missed by all his friends at the Reporter and throughout the Turners Falls community. Plans for a memorial event are still underway. If you would like to share your remembrances, please send them to us at editor@montaguereporter.org, and we will include them in our next edition on November 29.(2011 file photo by David Detmold.) ... [Continue Reading]

Acupuncture practitioner Dan Sachs (left) and herbalist Bonnie Bloom (right), along with Margaret Ryding (not pictured), are launching Abundant Splendor Community Acupuncture in downtown Turners Falls. Find details about the new business and an upcoming open house in our November 15 edition. (Nina Rossi photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Leslee Colucci, deputy sheriff and director of the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter skritches Tessa’s chin before the yellow lab leaves for her new home. The shelter is having a “9K for K9” trail run fundraiser at 8 a.m. November 18 at the Wendell State Forest. (Nina Rossi illustration) ... [Continue Reading]

Paddlers will soon have a better way to put their boats on the Millers River, the latest in a series of developments bringing visitors to downtown Millers Falls. Find out in our November 8 edition about upgrades planned using a $17,900 state trails grant. (Julia Handschuh photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Seven months after putting them up for sale, the owners of 2nd Street Baking Co. say they've found buyers for their business and building. Details in our November 8 edition. (Mike Jackson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Skeleton Crew Theater trolls Trent, Burt, and Willyum Huggins lurk in the woods on Route 2 in Gill across from Barton Cove. The trolls were part of a larger display that is illuminated at night. The theater has been rebuilding this season after a fire. (Julia Handschuh photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Columnist David Brule and his extended clan were back home for the Breton Day of the Dead. Read his dispatch from northwestern France in our November 1 edition. (Monique Brule photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Turners Falls High School physics students recently took a tour of Decker Machine Works. Our November 1 edition explores how Turners Falls High School has been working to expand authentic learning through community engagement. (Brian Lamore photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Thunder's Wyatt Keith scores a touchdown in a recent victory over Easthampton. Highlights from the end of the regular athletics season for TFHS and Franklin Tech are in our November 1 edition. (David Hoitt photo) ... [Continue Reading]

With pipes already leaking and freezing weather on the way, the Turners Falls water district has decided to shut off water to the Southworth and Strathmore complexes. Read the latest on the abandoned factories in our November 1 edition. (Mike Jackson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Brothers Rylee and Brennan were among the many Sheffield Elementary kids participating in the recent Pumpkin Carving Party. Our October 25 edition recaps the event and details other good work done by the Friends of Sheffield. (Cindi Oldham photo) ... [Continue Reading]

Mishel Ixchel has been thinking about handshakes and hugs, and about how children are expected to be nice and proper even when they feel their personal boundaries have been crossed. Check out the debut of her column in our October 25 edition. ... [Continue Reading]

Wendell recently experienced a "harmonic convergence" around agriculture and community action with perennial and tree planting parties and a visit from a Dutch botanist. Details in our October 25 edition. Find out more about acorns as food in this video. ... [Continue Reading]

Our October 18 edition begins the tripartite tale of a possibly too-long sailing cruise on the inland waters of the United States and Canada. In part one, perspiring travel writer Pete Wackernagel and the crew of the Muirgen traverse the length of Lake Champlain. (Emma Donnelly photo/Nina Rossi illustration) ... [Continue Reading]

Columnist David Brule's apple tree has been swarming with myrtle warblers, nowadays called yellow-rumped warblers.
Where do these professional ornithologists get off anyway? Changing bird names like that.
This and other musings on the arrival of fall in our October 18 edition. (Louis Agassiz Fuertes illustration) ... [Continue Reading]

The berries of the kousa dogwood tree, found outside the Discovery Center and Greenfield Savings Bank in Turners Falls, are a taste of tropics in fall. Learn more about wild edibles and forageables in this month's Great Falls Apple Column.
(Annabel Levine photo) ... [Continue Reading]

A program that encourages food stamps recipients to buy from farmers markets will run out of funding if the House continues to be unable to reach a deal on the Farm Bill. Our October 18 edition has analysis and an interview with Congressman Jim McGovern. (Karen Shapiro Miller photo) ... [Continue Reading]

The Montague Reporter is proud to announce that our full digital archive is at last available to the public. Wishing you could read that long-ago story? Check out montaguereporter.org/search to browse full PDFs, currently as far back as 2004 and as recently as two months ago. ... [Continue Reading]

Ethel Williams (seated at right) is believed to be the oldest woman in Leverett. She received a plaque and pin representing the town's "golden cane" at a ceremony last week. (Tom Hankinson photo) ... [Continue Reading]

The fish farm at the airport industrial park in Turners Falls has changed hands, with Great Falls Aquaculture taking over and Australis Barramundi shifting focus to Vietnam. Find out about both companies' plans in our October 11 edition. (Mike Jackson photos) ... [Continue Reading]